HC Deb 20 July 1989 vol 157 cc319-20W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much tropical hardwood in cubic metres was used by the Ministry of Defence in 1988.

Mr. Sainsbury

Purchases by the Ministry of Defence during 1988 amounted to around 600 cu m. Usage figures for tropical hardwood are not readily available.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of tropical hardwood used by the Ministry of Defence last year came from(a) Brazil, (b) the Ivory Coast, (c) Ghana, (d) India and (e) elsewhere; and in each case what steps were taken to ensure the wood used originated from plantations managed in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Sainsbury

Of the tropical hardwood which was bought by the Ministry of Defence in 1988:

  • 16 per cent. came from Brazil.
  • 16 per cent. came from the Ivory Coast.
  • 27 per cent. came from Ghana.
  • 0 per cent. came from India.
  • 41 per cent. came from elsewhere.

All tropical hardwood was procured competitively through importers and stockists in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to eliminate the use of tropical hardwoods from non-sustainable sources.

Mr. Sainsbury

No specific measures have been taken, but the Ministry of Defence has, in recent years, adopted a general policy to minimise, wherever possible, the usage of all types of timber.